By MICHAEL MIYOBA
MTN/FAZ Super League’s defending champions Zesco United reduced Red Arrows lead at the summit of the log to two points after edging Indeni FC 1-0 in a Ndola derby at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium yesterday.
A second half goal from John Chingandu gifted Zesco the three points which propelled their points tally to 37 points.
Zesco were insipid in the first half of the game as they created few chances and failed to break Indeni’s tight defence.
Midfielder Kelvin Kampamba had come close to giving Zesco the lead 13 minutes after kick off but saw his effort from outside the box going over the bar after he was setup by left back, Fackson Kapumbu.
Kampamba came close again in the 18th minute with a free kick which was saved by Indeni goal keeper Joshua Titima who was critical to ensuring that the first stanza ends goalless.
Midfielder Dickson Chapa tried his luck with two efforts which went wide before Indeni’s first real chance in the second half through Mathews Tolopa who saw his shot going wide five minutes after the hour mark.
Zesco were able to find the breakthrough in the 70th minute through Chingandu who headed home from close range after benefitting from Simon Silwimba’s shot.
Zesco could have doubled their lead before the final whistle but were unlucky as Winstone Kalengo and Chanda Mukuka missed their chances in the dying minutes of the game.
Meanwhile, Power Dynamos picked their third consecutive draw after failing to beat Forest Rangers in a goalless stalemate at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium.
The stalemate lifted Power Dynamos to 31 points, eight points behind the league leaders Red Arrows who date Green Buffaloes in today’s derby at Woodlands Stadium in Lusaka.
Green Eagles will host Nkwazi at Independence Stadium in Choma while Kafue Celtics will seek to bounce back from the 2-1 defeat to Indeni when they host Buildcon FC at Edwin Imboela Stadium.
Kansanshi Dynamos will take on Chambishi FC at Independence Stadium in Solwezi while Konkola Blades will host Zanaco as Prison Leopards face off with struggling Lusaka Dynamos.
